Tag: Robert Tonyan

Bears have new swagger heading into 2023 season

The Bears only won 3 games last season, but they slammed a door on 2022. “This is the 2023 Chicago Bears. We got a whole new identity.”

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The Chicago Bears only won three games last season, but there’s plenty of optimism surrounding this team heading into 2023. And that starts with the mindset inside the locker room.

One thing that’s been evident this offseason is that there’s a new swagger about this 2023 Bears squad, which is confident, passionate and ready to prove doubters wrong.

“The energy is just so intense out there right now,” safety Eddie Jackson said. “When you get a bunch of guys like that, you’re going to create something special. … The type of guys we have in the locker room, real leaders, guys who really care about football.”

The Bears have some new veteran faces on the roster, including defensive lineman DeMarcus Walker, who have contributed to the culture.

When asked about his awareness of the team’s struggles last season, which included losing their final 10 games, Walker slammed a door on 2022.

“This is the 2023 Chicago Bears,” he said. “We got a whole new identity, whole new offense, whole new defense, whole new group of guys. Honestly, f–k that s–t.”

Not only do the Bears have a new-look roster, but the NFC North is wide open and ripe for the taking following Aaron Rodgers’ departure to the New York Jets. New tight end Robert Tonyan likes the Bears’ chances in the divison.

“I love where we are at,” he said. “Overlooked, underrated. Whatever you want to call it. They still have to step on the field and beat us.”

The Bears will have to prove it on the field when the season kicks off Sept. 10. But if last season is any indication — where Matt Eberflus kept his team competitive in most games despite having arguably the league’s worst roster — Chicago could go from worst to first.

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WATCH: Justin Fields finds Robert Tonyan for one-handed touchdown at Bears minicamp

The Bears wrapped up their mandatory minicamp on Thursday, but gave fans a parting gift as they left Halas Hall.

The Chicago Bears wrapped up their mandatory minicamp on Thursday, but gave fans a parting gift as they left Halas Hall. Following the final practice, the Bears posted video of a highlight that took place featuring quarterback Justin Fields and tight end Robert Tonyan.

The highlight was a dart thrown by Fields to Tonyan in the end zone, who made a one-handed grab to secure the touchdown. The ball was thrown just over linebacker T.J. Edwards’ hand and Tonyan was covered by safety Elijah Hicks.

The talk of the offseason has been the Bears’ addition of wide receiver D.J. Moore, but Tonyan is another new face in this offense and Fields is finding ways to get him the ball. Tonyan signed a one-year deal in free agency back in March after spending the last six seasons with the Green Bay Packers. Playing alongside Cole Kmet, Tonyan should see plenty of opportunities as a complimentary player in the offense.

This highlight might be the last one fans see for a while as the team is off until training camp later next month, but it has many of them pumped for what’s to come.

Bears TE Robert Tonyan reacts to Justin Jones’ comments about Packers fans

After DT Justin Jones slammed Packers fans, former Packer and new Bears TE Robert Tonyan shared his reaction.

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Tight end Robert Tonyan is well versed in the Bears-Packers rivalry. Not only did he grow up rooting for the Bears, but he played on the opposite side — the wrong side, if you will — with the Packers before signing with Chicago this offseason.

So after defensive tackle Justin Jones slammed Packers fans for being
“s—y,” “obnoxious” and how “half of them don’t even know football,” Tonyan was the person to go with a reaction.

Tonyan, who spent the last six years in Green Bay, told reporters Jones’ comments on the Packers were “funny.”

“JJ is a little opinionated on that and I like that,” Tonyan said. “…but you could say anything about any fanbase.”

Following Aaron Rodgers’ departure to the Jets, it’s a new-look NFC North that’s ripe for the taking.

“I love where we are at. Overlooked, underrated,” Tonyan said. “Whatever you want to call it. They still have to step on the field and beat us.”

Tonyan, who grew up in McHenry, Ill., will get to face off against his former team twice this season, including to open the 2023 season at Soldier Field.

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Bears 2023 NFL draft preview: Where does Chicago stand at TE?

Next up in our Bears NFL draft preview series is tight end, which already looks improved with Robert Tonyan joining Cole Kmet.

The Chicago Bears have had a busy offseason, working to improve the team following their historic 3-14 run during the 2022 season during general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus’ first year with the team. Now going into Year 2, Poles and Eberflus are working to get the Bears back to relevancy and build a foundation that will eventually lead to postseason success.

Following their free agency frenzy, the Bears are setting their sights towards the 2023 NFL draft, which is quickly approaching. After initially winding up with the No. 1 overall pick, the Bears moved down to No. 9 following a lucrative trade with the Carolina Panthers. They will look to shore up certain positions such as offensive tackle and defensive line that still have glaring holes.

Here at Bears Wire, we’re going position by position to break down where Chicago stands entering the NFL draft. Up next is tight end, which has a pair of capable pass catchers at the top of the depth chart.

2023 Bears free agency: Contract details for new players

Here’s a look at the basic contracts for the Bears’ new additions through the first wave of free agency.

The first couple of weeks of free agency are in the books, and the Chicago Bears have added a handful of new players to the roster.

While Bears general manager Ryan Poles invested a lot into the linebacker position, he also negotiated some bargain contracts for starters and depth pieces.

Still, the Bears are sitting in a great position with the salary cap. They still have around $38 million in available cap space — most in the league — to make additional moves in the later waves of free agency and for the upcoming rookie draft class.

Here’s a look at the basic contracts for the Bears’ new additions during the first wave of free agency:

Note: New details will be added as they become available.

Robert Tonyan understands the importance of tight ends in Bears offense

Bears TE Robert Tonyan believes he and Cole Kmet will complement each other well.

The Chicago Bears made some solid moves through the first wave of free agency, which included some impact starters and depth pieces to bolster the roster.

One of those additions was former Green Bay Packers tight end Robert Tonyan, who provides a legitimate receiving threat behind starter Cole Kmet. Tonyan also reunites with Bears offensive coordinator Luke Getsy, who served as an assistant coach in Green Bay from 2019-21.

As someone who’s played in Getsy’s scheme, Tonyan understands the importance of tight ends in this offense. And he’s excited to get to work alongside Kmet.

“This offense goes through the tight ends, whether it’s blocking, passing, whatever it is,” Tonyan said. “And just a good pair. Cole’s a great tight end. He’s big, strong, and I think that adding that – that can complement me and him. I’m super pumped. I’m just excited to get in this building and get things rolling and just be a part of a team that’s ascending in the right direction.”

Now, Chicago has two solid receiving options at tight end in Kmet and Tonyan, where there will be opportunities to have them both on the field at the same time.

The Bears have built a strong supporting cast around quarterback Justin Fields this offseason. Chicago added DJ Moore, D’Onta Foreman and Tonyan to complement the likes of Darnell Mooney, Chase Claypool, Khalil Herbert and Kmet.

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4-Down Territory: Free-agency winners and losers, best and worst deals

NFL free agency is mostly in the rearview, so it’s time for Kyle Madson and Doug Farrar to review the winners and losers in “4-Down Territory!”

Now that the major part of the 2023 NFL free agency cycle is past, it’s time to look at which teams accomplished the most with their transactions, and which teams still have a lot of work to do. 4-Down Territory hosts Kyle Madson of Niners Wire and Touchdown Wire’s Doug Farrar get into it at the team level, and also the individual player level, with their winners and losers from free agency!

00:00 – Which team did the most to bolster their prospects for the 2023 season?

04:40 – Which team put itself on the wrong track?

09:38 – Which deal was the best in terms of player quality, team need, and price?

13:55 – Which of these deals was the worst in all these categories?

You can watch this week’s episode of “4-Down Territory” right here:

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Grading the Bears’ signing of TE Robert Tonyan

Robert Tonyan gives the Bears an effective pass catcher at the tight end position behind Cole Kmet. Here’s our grade of the move.

The Chicago Bears fortified their tight end position with a former rival. They signed former Green Bay Packers tight end Robert Tonyan to a one-year deal, reuniting him with offensive coordinator Luke Getsy.

Tonyan, a local product from McHenry, Ill came to the Packers in 2017 after a brief stint with the Detroit Lions where he initially signed as an undrafted free agent. He slowly was integrated into the offense over the next couple of seasons and had a breakout year in 2020, where he caught 52 passes for 586 yards and 11 touchdowns. A torn ACL sidelined him halfway through the 2021 season after another solid start, but was able to return for the start of last season. In 2022, Tonyan had 53 receptions for 470 yards and two scores.

Now joining the Bears, Tonyan will pair up with Cole Kmet to help improve the Bears’ passing attack and give Justin Fields yet another weapon to utilize. Here is how we graded the signing.

What the Bears are getting in new TE Robert Tonyan

We spoke to Zach Kruse of Packers Wire to give us a rundown on what we can expect from new Bears TE Robert Tonyan.

The Chicago Bears have signed former Green Bay Packers tight end Robert Tonyan to a one-year deal.

Justin Fields gets another pass catching open in Tonyan, who’s been a threat in the red zone during his time in Green Bay. The Illinois native will serve as a nice complement to Cole Kmet in the passing game.

We spoke to Zach Kruse of Packers Wire, who gave us the rundown on what we can expect from the Bears’ new tight end and why he could be a good fit for Chicago.

Packers lose tight end Robert Tonyan to Chicago Bears

Former Packers TE Robert Tonyan is leaving to sign a one-year deal with the Chicago Bears.

The Chicago Bears are signing former Green Bay Packers tight end Robert Tonyan to a one-year deal, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.

Tonyan, who turns 29 years old in April, spent his first five NFL seasons with the Packers. In Chicago, Tonyan will reunite with former Packers assistant coach Luke Getsy, who now coordinates the Bears offense.

Tonyan caught 137 passes on 176 targets for 1,437 yards and 17 touchdowns over 68 games with the Packers.

In 2020, Tonyan caught 88.1 percent of his targets and hauled in 11 touchdown passes during a breakout season. He tore his ACL in Week 8 of 2021 but returned to play all 17 games in 2022, when he set a career-high with 53 catches. However, Tonyan averaged only 8.9 yards per catch and caught two touchdowns last season.

Justin Fields and the Bears will hope Tonyan can return to pre-injury form in 2023.

The Packers, meanwhile, will begin a rebuild at tight end. Josiah Deguara and Tyler Davis are back, but Tonyan is departing and Marcedes Lewis is likely to leave in free agency. When healthy over the last three seasons, Tonyan was on the field for 59 percent of the offense’s snaps.

The 2023 draft class is deep at tight end, and Tonyan’s departure in free agency only adds to the chances of the Packers using an early pick at the position.

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